The countdown to the Asia Cup 2025 has already sparked a lot of buzz, and all eyes are on India as they prepare to defend their title with a brand-new look in the UAE. With a new captain, head coach at the helm and a revamped squad, the stage is set for India to decide their future in the format.
The Indian selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, had already announced a bold 15-member squad, with Suryakumar Yadav leading the team and Shubman Gill reinstated as vice-captain for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, starting on September 9 in the UAE.
Virender Sehwag feels India must eye the bigger picture through the Asia Cup 2025
With the continental tournament less than two weeks away, the legendary Indian batter Virender Sehwag said that this Asia Cup is not just about lifting another trophy but about preparing the blueprint for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.
The former Indian batter said that the tournament offers the perfect stage for the Men in Blue to test fresh blood, refine the combinations, and identify the fearless youngsters who can thrive on the world stage as they are set to defend their ICC T20 World Cup title at home next year.
The Asia Cup 2025 squad selection has already sparked debates. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna, who have all shone in the IPL 2025, have been left out, proving that the selectors are ready to take bold calls in search of the right mix.
Asia Cup can serve as great preparation for our 2026 T20 World Cup: Virender Sehwag
And Sehwag believes that this kind of ruthless clarity is exactly what’s needed to start building a team capable of ruling the T20I cricket. He wants Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav to analyze the players’ strengths and prepare accordingly for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
Virender Sehwag was quoted as saying by Sony Sports Network, “I think in the T20 format, this Asia Cup can serve as great preparation for our 2026 T20 World Cup. It’s an opportunity to see which new players should be given chances and who can be included in the squad. You can start building a team for the World Cup. In my opinion, there is no better opportunity for the Indian team to check its strength than the Asia Cup.”
Virender Sehwag confident of Asia Cup 2025 glory under Suryakumar Yadav
With Suryakumar Yadav leading the Indian T20I team, Sehwag believes India are the clear favorites to defend the Asia Cup trophy in the UAE, and India’s recent record speaks for itself.
He mentioned that the Men in Blue are world champions in both ODI and T20 formats, and their dominance makes them the strongest team heading into the Asia Cup 2025.
Sehwag signed off by saying, “We are world champions. We just won the World Cup and the T20 World Cup, and I am sure that we are the best team in the Asia Cup 2025, and hopefully, we will win the Asia Cup. I think we have a very good side, and Sky is leading from the front, and he’s a top player in the T20 format.
I’m sure that under his captaincy, we will do well because we’ve seen in the past when Sky has taken over, we won a lot of T20 games, and I’m sure that we will win the Asia Cup also.”